Back-to-back disappointment: Moses Simon's goal not enough as Nantes fall to Le Havre

Super Eagles forward Moses Simon marked his return from international duty with a well-taken goal, but it wasn’t enough to prevent FC Nantes from suffering a 3-2 loss to Le Havre in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

The result came just days after Nigeria's disappointing 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe in their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, where Simon and his teammates failed to secure a crucial win.

The 29-year-old winger has been an integral part of Nigeria's World Cup qualification campaign.

Simon's moment of brilliance came in the 49th minute, when a perfectly timed pass from Matthis Abline found him inside the box. 

He showed great composure to slot the ball past Le Havre’s goalkeeper, bringing Nantes level at 2-2.

However, the match quickly turned against Nantes as Le Havre regained their lead just minutes later. 

In the 89th minute, Timothee Pembele pounced on a lucky rebound to tap the ball into an empty net, making it 3-2.

Despite their efforts to salvage a point, Nantes could not find another breakthrough before the final whistle.

The match had been a thrilling affair, with both teams displaying attacking intent throughout. 

Nantes had earlier equalized through a header from Saidou Sow, but Le Havre had regained the lead through a penalty from Abdoulaye Toure in the first half. 

Simon’s goal seemed to ignite hope for Nantes, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to secure a positive result.

For Nantes, the focus now turns to improving their form as they look to climb up the Ligue 1 standings.

Wale Adejumo

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